Jaguar’s Virtual Windscreen Driving Experience

Jaguar Land Rover is attempting to make blind spots a thing of the past with their revolutionary Virtual Windscreen, as we explain this concept in more detail this type of technology could actually save lives.

Jet fighters have had head-up display (HUD) since the early 1970s, but the technology has never transitioned to automobiles. Jaguar is working on a new virtual-reality cockpit that will assist the driver in a various ways.

The 360 Urban Virtual Windscreen will display screens in the metal pillars of the vehicle. The system was developed by Tachi Laboratory and uses projectors and mirrors to beam images onto surfaces. This creates a physical bank of 360-degree video displays that serve as electronic extension of the car’s physical windows.

There are cameras outside the car that simultaneously broadcast the surroundings to the screens. The car’s pillars will be virtually transparent and allow the driver to see approaching cars, bicyclists or pedestrians that they might not have seen otherwise.

If the driver does not see nearby obstacles or pedestrians the system will automatically warn them on the car’s heads-up-display. The displays turn off when there are no obstacles so that it does not distract the driver.

When reversing or changing lanes on highways the side pillars on the doors will provide a live feed so the driver can see any other cars. The displays are also motion activated based on the orientation of the driver’s head. So if the driver looks over their should the side screens will automatically turn on.

Jaguar Land Rover is also considering highlighting the movement of other objects by adding a ‘halo’ style highlight effect around particularly close or difficult to spot people and objects.

“Our ultimate aim is to reduce road accidents and enhance the urban driving experience,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Epple, director of research and technology at the manufacturer.

The HUD is not all about safety because it would also make driving and parking easier. It would connect to the cloud and present the driver with valuable information including smart city infrastructure, gas station prices and locations and the number of spaces available in local parking lots.

There is also an enhanced GPS navigation system that will utilize a “ghost car.” There will be a small virtual car projected in front of the driver and they can follow them to their destination.

The Jaguar Land Rover 360 Virtual Urban Windscreen is still in its developmental phase but you can check out the video below to give you an idea of how it will be.